Seeking to debate the chief champion of ritualism, Kumarila Bhatta, Shankara reached Prayagraj only to find the veteran scholar committing self-immolation in a slow-burning fire of husk as penance for a past sin. Unable to debate, Kumarila Bhatta recognized Shankara’s genius and directed him to his greatest disciple, Mandana Misra, in Mahishmati.

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